Young Houston family’s home
The Stinsons emailed me about two years ago to tell me about this neat older, traditional styled home they had bought in a great Houston neighborhood. That needed to be updated. And they were starting demo of it THAT WEEK and could I stop by ASAP and see what they had in mind and if they were on the right track. So I visited the home mid “tear out” and we made some fast and furious decisions about paint and floors and they were already on track in so many areas…Flash forward two years and we are finally hanging the last drapes and placing the last pillows and its so pretty and warm and homey yet stylish and fun. Just like the Stinsons. I am honored to have been a part of seeing new life breathed into this classic Houston home. And it was a joy working with my friend Becki Griffin on photographing this project!
Above are some of my favorite shots, I have so much to share from this project, this may turn into several posts. First up the entry. The home was built in the 1960s and well cared for but just needed some updated and infusing of young style. The Stinsons added the wood wall which looks so great with their antique clock.
This is the before of the entry.
Mr Stinson did the wood wall himself, pictured here with one of his darling twin girls. I love this family y’all.
From the entry you walk into a family room/kitchen combo. We painted all of the doors BM Chelsea Gray and walls Edgecomb Gray, except for the Dining walls which are Chelsea Gray….so it all flows so well.
The Stinsons slipcoverd sofas and chairs they had for the living space and we added a stripe ottoman from Pottery Barn. They have a new dog with this new home so we did inexpensive natural rugs and TILE WOOD FLOOR. Yes that is ceramic tile and I love that it can be used in all wet spaces too. They even used it in the laundry and powder room. Pearl the Lab can not hurt this floor and it looks so good.
I love the Lacefield fabric pillows and the antique corner cabinet. I think the smattering of really good antiques throughout the house is what makes it really work mixed with Pottery Barn and other big box items.
And the windmill “tail” ..oh the windmill…scored at Round Top last year.
From the beginning, we discussed a windmill piece for this room and they found the perfect one and installed it safely and nicely! I was so concerned about installation but they did it! This homeowner can do anything, both the husband and wife. Talk about dream clients. Throughout our time working together, I would hear from them and we would visit by email or in person and I would leave them feedback and suggestions and then crickets, for weeks or months…and then I would hear from them and be so pleased with something they had done like hang this windmill or stencil a wall! Yes stencil a wall! These clients definetely took ideas and ran with them and then I came in and gave some final “polish”… I love working this way!
Open to this living area is the kitchen “nook”. . . I suggested the Stinsons invest in some amazing trellis or geometric wallpaper for this space. They decided to stencil it and I must admit this scared me a bit but I was surprised how well it turned out! They are the best DIYers! I love it!
And the kitchen, they removed a wall! It is not a large or “fancy” kitchen but I think this space proves that any kitchen can function well and be stylish no matter the size.
The Stinsons simply painted the existing cabinets and removed some doors and added honed marble. Notice they did not tear out cabinets and the area above the cabinets really just went away. Lighting is one idea of how they took my idea and ran with it and made their own decision based on my recommendation. I recommended several lighting options all on the pricier side (I admit it) because I think lighting is so important BUT they found these at Home Depot/HomeDecorators and I admit they look really cute..the scale is perfect!
And now, with fresh paint, some doors removed, new farm sink and appliances and marble…But this was not a total tear out or terribly expensive kitchen. I love that!
The updated kitchen this is looking from the living room with back to tv area.
From the kitchen you can see back around across the bar into the “piano room”. . . the bar actually was a wall at one time but the opened it up and the marble and stools make it so much more functional, open and pretty. And yes they do chalkboard art!
I adore the All-Clad all hung on the wall, keeps it casual and gives a work kitchen feel and its functional!
The Schumacher drapes were one thing I insisted on and the Stinsons agreed, the dark gray flows with the dark walls of the adjacent dining room and the doors of the home. And it is such a pretty view from the kitchen.
This small room off the kitchen works great for the piano and two chairs. I love that they captured their girls before tweendom in these smock dresses and I especially like the size of the canvas prints. And I really like that they have a photo of themselves as a couple as well, their girls will cherish this piece one day! Samantha and her girls have the prettiest red hair! The red stool and images keep the baby grand from feeling too stuff, keeps it young and casual and gives a pop of color.
Traditional tole trays from a nearby antique store on Memorial Drive in Houston. The iconic Target bar cart fit here just right!
Looking through the dining room from the entry the large canvas needed to be big and it turned out great. Love the view!
More white slipcovers in this room as well. We actually are still tweaking this room so I may have more photos later but we did simple linen drapes and linen slipcovers with dark walls. The red transferware adds a pop of color. We may still add and old rug for more color!
This mirror from Wisteria just barely fit but its perfect..I was sighing a huge breath of relief once this was installed…this chest was hard for me style but it finally came together. Lamps and drapes from Pottery Barn, jars and mirror from Wisteria. The chest is an antique.
Now on to the Master bedroom and bath. I really need to do a separate post on the bedroom and bath (and the closet oh the closet). This transformation has really been amazing, the centerpiece of course being this salvage door.
Love this bed from Restoration Hardware outlet…adore the little nails and linens from Round Top, the blue pillows are from Houston’s Lam Bespoke. Not shown (later post likely) is the reading nook and white drapes and natural shades and antique KASS.
Like I said, I have so much more of this home to show. I have some fun exterior shots. They have done so much with the backyard, so charming. I have a zillion phone pics if you want to see more details, I will post more soon if there is interest. I will also followup with some more source info in there is interest.
Thank you again to Becki Griffin of Curious Details for these beautiful shots and putting up with my crazy “direction” and thank you to the Stinson family for letting me part of your home. Y’all are truly a wonderful family and so talented and fun and I am so happy you love your new nest!
